A tenant who pretended to be his elderly landlady by sending out emails, cards and gifts in her name has admitted to murdering her.
Scott Paterson had been living with 74-year-old Annette Smith for several years but then began caring for her after she suffered a stroke.
However, the 45-year-old claimed the demands of supporting the pensioner caused him to “snap” and he suffocated her with a pillow at their home in Fairfield, Bedfordshire, on 8 November last year.
Paterson, who was working at a farm shop’s deli and butcher counter at the time, then tried to cover his tracks by using a kitchen knife and saw to dismember Ms Smith’s body.
He then hid her remains in a storage unit in Letchworth, Hertfordshire.
In a further attempt to conceal his crimes, Paterson began posing as Ms Smith by sending out emails, gifts and Moonpig cards to her family and friends to pretend she was still alive.
However, her relatives became suspicious and alerted police, who launched an investigation.
When quizzed by officers, Paterson initially claimed that Ms Smith had left their home with an unknown woman of her own accord.
But detectives discovered that her bank account showed no signs of activity – while her passport, clothing, mobile phone and laptop were all found still at her home.
CCTV footage and other records revealed Paterson had sold his landlady’s jewellery and some of her other belongings for more than £5,000.
‘Elaborate lies’
Paterson confessed to the murder soon after being arrested and told officers he had considered killing Ms Smith at least twice before – and had only stopped himself when he reached her bedroom door.
He also revealed he had racked up £30,000 in credit card debt and admitted stealing jewellery from Ms Smith to sell online.
Paterson was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 20 years, at Luton Crown Court on Monday.
Judge Justice Murray said: “You had been contemplating killing Annette Smith before you had finally killed her.
“This shows you had been thinking about and planning her death for some time. After you killed Annette Smith, you told elaborate lies.”
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In a statement, Ms Smith’s family said: “We are totally heartbroken and devastated that Annette has been taken away from us in such a cruel and senseless way.
“She was a beautiful, caring, trusting and generous lady, who meant so much to so many people.
“Annette, rest in peace with those who will love and take care of you.”
‘Evil man’
Ms Smith’s stepson, Jason Smith, also described his stepmother as a “very kind and caring person”.
He told the court he had initially believed the defendant, described by other witnesses as a “gentle giant”, was a “nice guy”, but came to realise he was an “evil man”.
He added: “I will never forgive [him] for what he did, I hate him from the bottom of my heart.”
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Detective Chief Inspector Katie Dounias, who led the investigation, said: “While in a position of trust, Paterson cruelly took advantage of Annette’s vulnerabilities which culminated in him not only ending her life, but taking abhorrent and deceptive steps to conceal his crimes.
“This was compounded by his efforts to make a financial gain by selling Annette’s belongings.”
She added: “There is nothing that will ease the impact this will have had on those that knew Annette.
“But the hope is that today’s sentencing provides some solace to her family and friends and puts an end to what has no doubt been a horrific ordeal for her loved ones.”
